American Royal.....guess we're NOT going. WTF?!?!

I just got off the phone with Jimmy.
We won 2 GC's this year.
FIRST GC's ever.

After both GC's, Jimmy (head cook) got the required packet of info from the contest reps and the organizers, filled out all 7 or so pages and sent it in via email.
Both times, he got back a return email from them saying that they'd received everything.

Recently, we saw a AR site map come up here and I noticed that we weren't listed on the map and asked Jimmy about it. We just figured that they were waiting to assign spots to returning teams or something before they gave us a spot.



So, this morning, Jimmy sends Kim an email and asks about why we've never received info about our spot or the invitational. She tells us that they never received our application.

HUH?

We're told that there's a separate application that we never sent in.
Deadline's past.
Tough chit.
We're on the waiting list.



I get that there's a process and apparently, we missed something.
However, as a first time GC and qualifier for the Invitational, it sure wasn't very clear. I don't get why they give you a 7 page packet of stuff AT the contest right after awards that DOES NOT INCLUDE the APPLICATION. Why take this 2nd step?

Jimmy even asked her to confirm that she received our "quailfying contest info" and she did confirm that. He specified that we were a first time qualifier. No mention of "Hey, don't forget" or any kind of "Remember you still need to submit your application".



I'm not slamming the Royal.
I get that there are a lot of teams who get this right the first time around and that technically....we dropped the ball, but DAYUM....you'd think it would be a bit more clear.

We've been amped up about attending the AR since we won back in May.
We may never have the chance again.

PISSED OFF!


Farkin sucks.
Bullchit.




Rant off.

Yeah, I don't have the actual email chain from the beginning, but apparently the actual application was sent as an attachment to a return email after he sent in the 7 page qualifying packet.

Only thing is.....it wasn't made clear at all that this was required.
Jimmy's good at this kind of stuff. He handles all the entry fees, contest apps, etc. He got right on the AR paperwork and thought it was all done.

You'd think they'd make it a bit more clear, especially for a new team.
I'm sure it's probably in there somewhere on the 7 page packet, but damn.....

No, we'd planned on cooking both.
I don't know all the details. Jimmy handles that stuff. I'm only hearing from him about it. Kim is saying that they haven't received the deposit for the Open.

Here's the email we got this morning from her:

James –

I show we received your qualifying contest information on May 8th and an Invitation Application was sent via email to you May 9th. I do not have record that your Invitation Application that was attached to that email has been received back to our office and the deadline for entry was August 17, 2013. Without that paperwork and the required deposit and/or registration into the Open Contest, we are unable to make a space assignment. We are no longer accepting applications for either the Invitational or the Open as all of our spaces are full at this time.

I know this must be disappointing and I apologize we are unable to offer a space but spaces are given on a first come/first paid (deposit) basis and we have received neither from your team.

Thank you,

Kim Palmer
American Royal
BBQ Contest Coordinator






Look, as landarc said....paperwork is paperwork and rules are rules. I get that. I'm not whining just to whine or think that we got "screwed" or anything. I'm just saying that as MUCH as we have wanted to cook at the Royal, it's not like we just FORGOT or something. It just wasn't clear that there was anything OTHER than the qualifier packet to send in or you can bet your arse that it would have been sent in. TWICE.

mobow said:

Because they give the spots to open contestants that were waiting once the deadline passes. Keith

Click to expand...

So, wait.....

You mean that they give the spots AT THE OPEN to open contestants who were waiting? Surely the waiting list for the Invitational is only for teams that qualified for the Invitational, right?